Fret Not--It leads Only to Evil

What kind of word is fret? You don't often hear people talking about "fretting" over circumstances. It is one of those words we think we know its meaning but in reality what does it mean?

Fret - 1.to feel or express worry, annoyance, discontent, or the like.

Psalm 37:8b says not to fret--it leads only to evil. I bolded "only" because in it is the word "one". When you fret, it leads to one thing--evil. There is a tendency to think of "big sins" as leading to "evil". However, this verse tells us that fretting leads only to evil. Once on the fret highway, you will end up in evil town. Satan wants us to worry. Worry is fear based and fear is Satan's "faith". The enemy would like us to take our gaze off the Lord and become annoyed by the smallest things or to become discontent with the hand the Lord has dealt us. We express worry and annoyance and before we know it, the environment around us has changed and is not pleasant. We are at the outskirts of evil. We must beware of fretting in particular because it is the kind of sin that floats under the radar of our discernment. We are on guard against the obvious sins, but fretting?The Lord, however, has given us several powerful weapons to use against fretting. When you suddenly realize you are falling victim to worry, annoyance, or discontentment begin to give thanks.

Thanksgiving changes the environment around us. It is powerful because it quickly puts our eyes back on the Lord. What we behold is what we are in agreement with. As we enter His gates with thanksgiving we gaze upon the Lord and fretting is put to flight. Another powerful weapon against fretting is to remember. All through Scripture, the Lord tells us to remember the past. Rehearse what God has done for you. How many dark moments were there in the past yet look where you are today!At the Holy Communion, Jesus tells us to remember the most important and pivotal point in the history of the world and then to receive Communion in remembrance of Him and His death on the cross. King David wrote, "Do not fret--it leads only to evil." King David's greater son, the Lord Jesus, is the one who saves us from that worry and leads us into peace. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed upon Thee for he trusts in Thee."

Blessings,Father Scott Davis +